6 Ways to Create an Authentic & Real Presence on Social Media

I’m going to say it- the world has had ENOUGH of basic captions like “High tides + Good vibes ??”, “Seas the day ⚓️,” or “Tropic like it’s hot ???.” I’m not hating on people who use these captions, these are all captions I’ve used before! There’s just a time and place for these things. And with how times are like now, the world could use more authenticity.

Why you should be authentic on social media

• People automatically assume every social media presence has surface-level depth. You get plus points.
• You stand out by being yourself. What better way make your brand unique than with using the one thing people can’t copy from

How to be Authentic and Real on Social Media

#1 Speak from the heart. Not what gets the most likes.

• Post because you have something to share. Not because your editorial calendar says you have to.
• Don’t force yourself. Your followers can easily tell when you’re posting for the sake of posting.
• But when you’re a blogger, I get that you have to keep yourself relevant and in the eyes of your followers. No, you don’t.
• My experience:
• If you’re worried about the algorithm. Post like there’s no algorithm. Then there will be no algorithm to compete with.

#2 Give up looking good. There’s nothing wrong about looking good.

• But at a certain point, we start to lack depth when that’s all we try to do
• And it’s very inauthentic because we’re covering up something we don’t need to cover-up
• So if you’re always posting perfect photos on Instagram (perfect lighting, perfect outfits, etc..) Stagger it with unedited photos.
• My experience: I used to follow a lot of people with amazing photos. But eventually unfollowed them I couldn’t relate to them anymore. Their entire Instagram feed was showing perfect experiences and perfect outfits and while they are great inspiration, it wasn’t something I couldn’t relate to anymore. I didn’t feel like I was following a person anymore. And it didn’t align with my values.

#3 Share a vulnerable experience

• It’s easy to post good news and fun updates happening to you on social media. Why wouldn’t we?
• What’s something in yourself that has you feel like your “shedding your clothes” in front of them?
• Rene brown (?) of Vulnerable book says Vulnerability is the new leadership because nothing is more stronger than a person being vulnerable in front of the people who look up to them. Be real. Share those insecurities and weaknesses. Your followers will appreciate you even more.
• My experience: How Not to Travel Like a Basic Bitch
  • Happy go lucky presence
  • How Not to Travel Like a Basic Bitch – long distance relationship stories
  • I shared my experience about my ldr that went abusive. I came out as a domestic violence victim and a sexual abuse survivor and shared how that experience altered my life.
  • No one in my life knew about it. This was the first of many of my relatives would hear about. I was so scared. I was scared the tables would turn and people would blame me. But I knew my story would help others.
  • Now you don’t have to share something as big as that. And I really hope you don’t have a
  • But if you have a vulnerable experience to share that will help others. Do it.
  • Get over the fear of looking bad and help them.

#4 Stop being nice & stand up for what you believe in

• There’s a difference between being nice and being kind.
• Being kind means caring for someone because you care about them.
• Being nice means being polite because you don’t want to rock the boat.
• That’s not authentic. Because you’re not expressing what you truly feel.
• Share what you mean to say. And take a stand.

#5 Take a breather from social media.

• You can’t be authentic on social media and share your life experiences if you’re not going out there to experience life itself.
• Unplug from the internet and go outside and meet people.
• Take a hike or do something new. Take on a challenge even if you know you’re going to fail. At least you did it and you had experiences to learn from it.
• My experience: I’ve taken 1-month to 6-month breaks from social media.

#6 None of the above will matter if you’re not authentic to yourself.

• So start with the source. You.
• Acknowledge your shortcomings and share them
• You can’t love yourself and be confident about who you are if you
• Realize that you have a filter.  And whatever you say be default will pass through that filter.
• Do some inner work and realize this filter could be stopping you from being yourself not just in front of others, but also yourself.
• Invest in yourself. Take self-development classes, read self-help books, listen to mindset podcasts. Immerse yourself in the environment of self-development and soon enough, you’ll start living your most authentic life.
• My experience:  One of the best decisions I ever made was taking self-development courses in my early 20s.
• If it weren’t for these courses, I don’t know where I would be right now. I’d probably be living in the US, working a job I didn’t like, and self-sabotaging my relationship with my boyfriend because I never recovered from the abuse I had in a previous relationship.
• But right now, I’m living my dream life, working online, helping others, in the healthiest, most amazing relationship with my new husband, and we just moved to Germany. And we’re looking forward to all the travel we get to do here in the next few years. It’s amazing. But it takes work.
• I promise you. Once you invest in your self-development, everything will follow.

How to be Authentic and Real on Social Media

#1 Speak from the heart. Not what gets the most likes.

#2 Give up looking good. There’s nothing wrong about looking good.

#3 Share a vulnerable experience

#4 Stop being nice & stand up for what you believe in

#5 Take a breather from social media.

#6 None of the above will matter if you’re not authentic to yourself.